Note: All canon lines belong to the writers and creators of Star Wars Episode 1.


One Year Later...

Sienna could feel herself slipping.

No more was she surrounded by the good-hearted, light-filled Jedi. This was a city of thieves and liars, killers and traitors, all sorts of wicked folk. They trampled on the helpless and innocent, and to survive, you had to become strong and cold. Weaklings either found themselves dead, or kidnapped and sold into slavery, and the weakest among those died too. Only the strong survived in places controlled by gangsters, gamblers, and crime lords.

Some might have despaired after the first few weeks of being stuck in a place like this, and they would have had good reason to. Not Sienna. She had grown up in a place just like this. Worse even. Nar Shaddaa, the Smuggler's Moon, which circled the very home planet of the Hutts. It was a hundred times worse than Mos Espa could hope to be. And Sienna had survived. As a child, an orphan, she had survived. She built a name for herself as the best mechanic and general tinkerer in her district. Five they called her, because no matter how trashed your ship or speeder was, she could fix it in under 5 hours. And she always did a solid job. No one who came to Five for repairs needed to go back anytime soon, unless they either managed to trash their ship again, or they tried to make off without paying.

Her name spread, whispered from one smuggler to the next. Go to Five if you need repairs, but you better have the dough on hand.

That was how the Order had found her, actually. A malfunctioning hyperdrive and a rough landing left them in need of parts and repairs. As Calian and Avetis had stumbled from their smoking ship, a drunk bystander laughed.

"Looks like you need to take a trip to see Five!" He said.

"What is Five?" Avetis had inquired.

"Best mechanic on the moon. Can fix anything in under five hours. Only honest bloke too. But ya better have the dough ready, else your ship ain't gonna fly again."

The two Jedi had donned cloaks and slipped into the crowd, following the man's instructions to locate this Five person. They came to a shop, and were surprised to find a teen girl tinkering with a speeder.

"Excuse me," Calian said when the girl didn't look up, "Are you Five?"

"Who's asking?"

"Calian Verde, and my friend, Avetis Kaito. Our ship is in need of repairs, and we were told you're the best."

"Got that right," She said, tightening a bolt and then sticking the wrench back in her belt. She turned from the speeder and looked them over.

Both Calian and Avetis froze when they felt her reach out in the Force, sweeping it over them, probing lightly at their minds. The two Knights had solid shields of course, and they noticed Five's lips turn down in a slight frown when she found she couldn't glean anything from their thoughts.

"Where's this ship of yours?"

"Not far. Forty minute walk perhaps."

She nodded. "Let me guess, hyperdrive? And engine trouble, busted landing gear, leaking fuel line?"

Avetis blinked. "How did you know?"

She scoffed. "You're too clean to have landed here on purpose, and there are other planets not too far off. So, you must have had to make an emergency landing on the nearest place you could find. And you didn't fly your ship down here to my workshop, which means you've totally fried it." She turned from them and grabbed a bag, filling it with tools and random parts. "You got money? Nothing comes for free on this moon, unless you plan on stealing."

Calian reached inside his cloak and pulled out a fistful of coins. "Will this do?"

"Toss me one."

Calian did as asked. Five caught the coin, flipped it, held it up to the light. "Where'd you even get trugats this old?"

"They're still good."

"I know. Just haven't seen ones like this in a while." She pocketed the coin, and held out her hand for the rest. Calian handed them over, she counted them, and then slipped them into a slot in her workbench. "Alright, let's see that ship of yours."

The two Knights had led her back to their ship, and her eyes seemed to light up when she saw it. "Finally, something quality ." Without another word to them, she set to work.

Sure enough, she had their ship fixed in a matter of hours. Including the time it took for her and Calian to make a short trip to a nearby scrap shop to get some parts that she couldn't have carried all the way from her own shop. Five told him what parts they needed, and he named a price. She scowled at him. "You're overcharging."

"He's an outsider. He can pay the outsider's price." The Dug said in Huttese.

"And I'm a local, and I know you're full of Bantha crap. These parts aren't worth that price."

"My price stands," he said in Basic.

"No, it doesn't. You'll take a fair price."

Calian felt the Force move, and he cast a quick glance at Five. She hadn't moved her hand, and yet-

"I'll take a fair price," the Dug agreed.

Yep, she had used a Jedi mind trick. Did she even know she'd done so?

"Ground to Green," Five said, snapping her fingers at him.

He shook himself out of his thoughts, handing over the correct amount. Five picked up the parts, smirking triumphantly. "A pleasure as always, Rudama."

The Dug growled, but there was no real malice in his tone. "As always, Five."

They brought the parts back to the ship, and Five set to work putting them in their proper places.

Calian pulled Avetis aside, and they moved just out of earshot, though close enough to keep an eye on the mechanic. "She used a mind trick on the seller," he said, keeping his tone low, "He wanted to overcharge me, and she convinced him to take a fair price."

"And she probed us when we entered her shop the first time."

"She likely does that to all her customers. That's how she can tell who has cash, and who's bluffing." Calian looked at her as she slid under the belly of the ship, one of the new parts in hand. "She's strong with the Force."

"Does she even know what the Force is? Do you think she's heard of Jedi?"

"Probably not. If she has, likely just rumors from smugglers and bounty hunters."

"So probably not good things, if anything."

Both Jedi sighed. Silence stretched between them for a couple minutes as they observed the girl.

"She's not from our Time," Calian said.

"Neither was I," Avetis reminded him, "And yet I am now."

"Do you think Master Azimuth would approve? Her rules are…"

"Strict and seemingly arbitrary," Avetis supplied with a grin.

Calian snorted. "Yes."

"Well, she knows the Force better than either of us. There's a reason she's Grandmaster. But it is the Force she follows, so I suppose all we can do is ask the Force."

"And the girl," Calian added. "She might not want to come, even if the Force supports it."

"Only one way to find out."

Both Knights reached out into the Force, slowing their breathing and calming their minds, searching it for its will. It gave no clear answer, but it swirled expectantly around them, as if it was waiting for them to make a move.

They heard a bang, and then a string of curses in varying languages. The girl slid out from under the ship, rubbing her head.

"I think she felt us," Avetis smirked.

Calian was the one to approach her. "You ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just," she looked around, but didn't seem to find what she was looking for. "Nothing."

Calian sat down on the edge of the exit ramp. "You ever heard of the Force?"

"The Force?" She asked, "That some kind of bounty hunter? Someone I should know?"

"No, not a someone. The Force is an energy. It exists throughout the entire universe, but only some people can tap into it."

The girl frowned. "Sounds like a fairy tale to me."

Calian raised an eyebrow. Then, he lifted a hand, and the tools she had left scattered on the ground rose up into the air. Her eyes widened slightly, but she otherwise kept her expression neutral.

She had excellent control of her expressions, Calian noted, or at least any that would appear to be a weakness. Probably a survival skill in a place like this.

"You can do that too?" The teen asked.

"And much more," Calian said, returning the tools to their places. "That's the Force at work. Some beings, like you and I, can tap into it, and channel it to do things like pick up tools with a wave of a hand. Or, influence a stubborn Dug to sell you parts at a fair price."

He smirked as her face went slightly red.

She nodded towards Avetis, who still stood a couple meters away. "Can he use the 'Force' too?"

"Yes."

"Cool. I always wondered what this was. No one else around seems to be able to feel the world like I feel it, or do some of the things I can do. Was that the Force then, a second ago?"

"Yep. You felt Avetis and I communicating with it."

The girl frowned again, looking skeptical. "You talk to an energy?"

"Kind of? It's not like talking to a sentient. The Force is an energy yes, but it also has a will. We were just trying to discern its will."

"Sounds like some kind of wacky religion."

Calian laughed. "I guess you can think of it like that if you want. But you know the Force is real. You can feel it and direct it yourself."

Five picked up a tool, and slid back under the ship. "So why're you telling me about the Force, Green?"

"Because you're Force-sensitive, and I'm Force-sensitive, and I thought you might like to know a little about this power you have."

"And?"

"And what?"

"I'm not an idiot, Green." Five slid back out from under the ship. "Why else are you telling me?"

Calian hesitated. But the Force whispered no warning, and it brushed against him gently, encouraging him. "We were wondering if you'd like to come with us, and learn about the Force."

"There are teachers on our planet," Avetis said, having walked over, "Masters of the Force, of its ways and mysteries and uses. They could teach you about it, how to channel it and connect with it better."

"What do you call these 'Masters of the Force'? Does your group have a name?"

"We are Jedi, of the Cosmic Order."

"You guys like mythical sounding names, don't you?"

Calian smirked. "Well we couldn't choose something boring ."

"Are you wanting me to come be a Jedi, and join your magical Cosmic Order?"

"Well," Avetis hesitated a moment, thinking of what to say. "We may extend that offer to you, in time. But first we would like to offer the opportunity simply to come and learn."

Five tilted her head, examining them. "What if I say no?"

"Then we leave you here, and thank you for fixing our ship," Calian said. "Our invitation is open, but you are under no obligation to accept."

Five nodded, then slid back under the ship. She said nothing more to them.

Half an hour later she emerged. "Your ship's done," she said, wiping her hands on her pants.

Avetis and Calian both half-bowed to her. "Thank you. We appreciate your help."

"No problem. It was fun to work on something that isn't a half junk," she grinned. "Half the folks that modify their own ships don't know squat about what they're doing. They cause more problems than they fix, and then I end up having to fix those in addition to what they came in for."

"Well, I'm glad we found someone who both knows what they're doing and didn't seem the sort to leave us with an engine that will explode the moment we leave the atmosphere."

Five snorted. "Of course not. I don't feel like getting blown up today."

Both Knights blinked at her in surprise.

"Oh, come on, didn't your powerful Force tell you I was coming?"

"That's… not quite how it works."

"Really? Well, it told me to go, and it hasn't steered me wrong yet."

It took only a moment for Calian to recover from his surprise. "Well then, welcome to the crew." He held out a hand, and Five gave it a firm shake.

"Thanks. I need to grab a few things from my shop before we head out."

"No problem. We can fly down there, if you want."

She nodded.

One duffle bag and a box of tools later, the three of them were on board and out in open space.

One jump through a Force Portal found them on a different planet.

And from there, Five became Jedi Padawan Sienna Retrograde. She lost some of her sharp edges and learned how to trust, how to be part of a family, how to do more than survive among thieves. The kindness of the Jedi was like sunlight, such a contrast to the harsh moon she grew up on. She was still tough, but she also became gentler, kinder and more compassionate.

But now she was back in a land where compassion was scoffed at. Where kindness held little value. And Sienna could feel herself growing cooler, tougher, sharper. Back to the way she had been before the Jedi. It was necessary in a place like this. But it was also… Sad, somehow. To see how easily she went from sassy, caring Sienna to sharp, cool Five.

A Jedi adapts, she reminded herself. We adapt, and we survive. But I don't have to lose who I am. She could be cool without being cruel, sharp without cutting.

She could be Five, and still be Sienna.

And that's what she did. She didn't take crap from anyone, but she also didn't push people around. She took a job as a mail runner for hire, hauling packages across the desert from the city to other towns, to moisture farms, and to individuals. It was dangerous work, which meant it paid well. Mail runners were constantly getting attacked by Tusken raiders or wild beasts or thieves hiding out in the desert. It was a job with a high injury rate at best, high mortality rate at worst. Folks with deep pockets and important clients were willing to pay handsomely if it meant they didn't have to haul their goods across the desert and risk getting mugged and killed themselves.

For the average man, this job was a death sentence. But for a Jedi? Not so much.

The first time she took a job she had been laughed at.

"You'll be dead before you make it halfway to the client, little girl," said the Hutt who was looking for a runner.

"How much do you wanna bet?" She challenged.

He chortled again. "I'll pay you four peggats if you can get my merchandise across the desert."

Sienna scoffed. "Only four? Unless you're having me haul fruit, that's a laughable price. I want twelve."

He gasped, dramatically clutching a hand to his chest. "That's triple! I'm not paying a dead man twelve peggats."

"Do you want me to get the package across the desert, or should I hand it off to the raiders? I'm sure I could sell whatever it is you want me to haul for more than twelve peggats."

"I'd send a bounty hunter after you if you did that."

"Then you admit that your merch is valuable," Sienna smirked. "The question is, how much is its safe delivery worth to you?"

The Hutt growled. "Ten peggats. That's what I'll pay you, girl, IF you deliver it safely."

"I want half now."

"No."

"I'm no fool. Standard procedure is half up front, half upon return with proof of safe delivery."

"You're new. You have no reputation, nothing to guarantee to me that you can do this."

"Which is why I'm willing to settle for your ridiculous offer of ten peggats."

The Hutt eyed her, but he sighed. "Fine. Half now." He motioned to one of his slaves, who passed over a small pouch. Sienna opened it, checked that the coins were real, and tucked them into her belt with a satisfied nod.

"I still think you'll get killed," The Hutt said.

"We'll find out, won't we?"

Needless to say, Sienna did not get killed. In fact, she made it back in record time. And slowly, her reputation grew, just as it had all those years ago. If people wanted something hauled across the desert, and wanted guaranteed delivery, they went to Five. The mail runner who always made it back not only alive, but relatively unharmed by the standards on this planet. No near fatal injuries or broken bones at least. As her reputation grew, so did her prices, but they always remained fair. And every now and then she took a job for a poor family, hauling medicine to a sick relative at a farm, for next to nothing.

She could be Five, and still be Sienna.

Regardless, it was tiring, being on guard and mistrustful all the time. So Sienna was glad to have two people she could trust, two people she could completely relax around. People with whom she could just be Sienna, and didn't have to be Five.

She pulled her cloak tighter around her body, squinting against the sand that whipped around her as she made her way to the door of the place those two people called home.

"Shmi! I'm here, sorry I'm late," Sienna called as she entered the Skywalker residence, shutting the door behind her with some effort as the wind tried to keep it open. She pushed back her hood and took off her cloak, wincing as a pile of sand formed on the floor beneath it. "And sorry about the mess, I'll sweep it up."

Shmi came around the corner, and the two women shared a quick hug. "I'm glad you made it," the older said. She reached over and gently tilted Sienna's head to the side, frowning at the cut that crossed her cheek.

"It's not too bad," Sienna assured her, "I ran into some raiders on my way back. Just a couple of scratches and bruises, but they'll heal up quick."

"I worry about you out there. It's dangerous."

"I can handle myself. And I've faced far worse than raiders when I was far younger than I am now." Sienna's lip quirked up. "There's a reason I'm the best on the planet."

"That doesn't stop me from worrying about you," Shmi said. "Between you and Anakin, I'll go completely grey within a couple of years."

"I guess you'll just have to stop fretting about me."

Shmi laughed. "I couldn't if I wanted to."

Sienna removed her boots and left them by the door, and shrugged a satchel off her shoulder. Reaching into it, she pulled out a handful of Trugats. "Here," she said, pressing the coins into Shmi's hands. "I did well today."

"You don't have to give these to me. You should save them, earn enough for a ticket off-world."

"So you keep telling me. But I don't need them. If I really wanted to leave the planet, I could find a way. I want you to have them. You've always been so good to me."

Shmi kissed Sienna's forehead. "Thank you, my dear. Now, go get yourself cleaned up. You're positively filthy."

"Yes ma'am." Sienna laughed. She moved past Shmi, heading for the bathroom. However, to get to the bathroom one must move through the dining area, and there around the table sat three beings Sienna didn't know. She paused for a moment, surprised at herself for not sensing the extra presences earlier. Two were human, an older male and a young female a few years younger than Sienna, and one was of a species Sienna didn't recognize. Which was saying something, she had met all kinds of beings in a place like Nar Shaddaa. She noted the way the Force swirled around the male. Clearly a Force-sensitive.

"Sienna!" Anakin called cheerfully, "You made it!"

"Don't I always?" She kept her tone light and cheery for Anakin's sake, but her guard had risen. She tightened her mental shields and eyed the newcomers with a hint of suspicion.

"Well, there was that one time.."

"Let's not remember that moment," Sienna grinned, "I have to go clean up, but I'll be out in a minute."

She disappeared into the bathroom, and Anakin turned to Padme. "That's my friend Sienna. You'll like her, she's cool."

"I'm sure we will," Padme said, smiling at Anakin's enthusiasm, even if she wasn't entirely sure. The Skywalkers seemed kind and nonthreatening, but the young woman looked like the kind of person who could kill you and make it seem like an accident.

When Sienna returned a couple of minutes later, she was wearing a fresh tunic and leggings and had washed the cut on her face. She sat down beside Shmi, since her normal seat was currently occupied by the sentient she didn't know the species of.

"I am Qui-Gon Jinn," the man at the end of the table introduced himself, "This is Jar Jar Binks, and Padme Amidala."

"Sienna Retrograde," she responded, inclining her head slightly in greeting.

"I take it you are a friend of the Skywalkers?"

"Yes," Sienna smiled. "And they are good friends of mine." There was a hint of a threat there. Sienna would protect her friends.

"Do you live here too?" Padme asked.

"On this planet, yes. I live a few neighborhoods away."

"So yousa is not being a slave then?" Jar Jar asked.

Both Qui-Gon and Padme glared at him for his lack of tact.

"No," Sienna said, "I am not. I run mail across the desert."

"I can't believe there's still slavery in the galaxy," Padme said, "The Republic's anti-slavery laws-"

"The Republic doesn't exist out here," Shmi cut her off.

"And even if it did, it wouldn't matter," Sienna said, "Places like this are run by the Hutts, they answer to no one except profit."

"But surely the senate-"

"Would be bought out."

Padme gave Sienna an incredulous look. "The senate is a democracy!"

"So? It's full of politicians. And politicians will always do what's in their own best interest, to hold onto their status and to line their own pockets."

"Not all of them."

"Enough of them."

The two glared at each other, a tense silence settling over the room.

"Has anyone ever seen a pod race?" Anakin asked after a moment, doing his best to break the tension.

Sienna and Padme looked away from one another, turning their attention to Anakin instead.

"They have pod racing on Malistair," Qui-Gon commented, "Very fast, very dangerous."

"I'm the only human that can do it." Anakin said proudly.

"You must have Jedi reflexes."

Sienna's gaze darted to Qui-Gon. That was an interesting comment.

Jar Jar took that moment to stick out his tongue to grab a piece of fruit. Qui-Gon's hand shot out, snagging the tongue. "Don't do that again."

Speaking of Jedi reflexes. Sienna thought. The Force whispered in an almost amused way.

Anakin looked at his plate, his demeanor shifting slightly. There was something he wanted to say, but he wasn't sure he should. Then, he looked back up at Qui-Gon. "You're a Jedi Knight, aren't you?"

Sienna sensed the girl, Padme, stiffen slightly. All eyes turned to Qui-Gon.

The man remained relaxed. "What makes you think that?"

"I saw your lightsaber. Only Jedis carry that kind of weapon."

Jedi, Sienna mentally corrected. No matter how many times she told him that the word was both singular and plural, Anakin always added an 's' to the end. But at least he had finally stopped calling the weapons 'laser swords.'

"Perhaps I killed a Jedi and took it from him." Qui-Gon's face held a hint of amusement as he leaned back, indicating to Sienna that he had not, in fact, killed a Jedi. A good thing, because if he had, well, she and him were not going to get along.

"I don't think so. No one can kill a Jedi."

I wish that was true, Sienna thought. Unbidden, images of Calian when they found him after his capture came to mind. The injuries… He had nearly died.

"I wish that were so," Qui-Gon said softly, echoing Sienna's thought.

Anakin turned toward Sienna, and she could feel his excitement bubbling around him as if Qui-Gon hadn't just told him that Jedi are mortal like anyone else. He tilted his head, trying to read her expression, and when he couldn't he frowned.

Why aren't you excited too? Here's another Jedi! He asked through the Force.

Qui-Gon straightened slightly, surprise flitting across his features before he schooled them again. Sienna winced. She had been teaching Anakin how to communicate telepathically with her, by sending thoughts through the Force. The problem with telepathic communication though is that one has to be careful about where they direct the thought. Normally, it wasn't a problem, since Sienna was the only other Force-sensitive on the entire planet as far as she could tell, so if Anakin was unfocused it wouldn't matter - no one else would be able to hear words spoken through the Force. But now, a Jedi sat at the table with them, and he had clearly heard what Anakin 'said.' He was looking at Sienna with mild curiosity, and she could feel him gently probing the Force for insight.

I don't know him, Sienna responded, keeping her thoughts carefully focused and directed, And as far as his Jedi Order knows, mine does not exist. We are a secret group.

Oh, Anakin said, still projecting widely,

Mind your focus. Qui-Gon can hear you.

Anakin flushed, turning to look at Qui-Gon. "I had a dream I was a Jedi. I came back and freed all the slaves. Have you come to free us?"

"No, I'm afraid not."

"I think you have. Why else would you be here? Well, on purpose anyway." Anakin glanced back at Sienna with that last comment, and she hid her amused smile by taking a bite of food.

Brat, she thought, and he smirked. Had it not been for the other guests at the table, she would have playfully chucked a piece of fruit at him.

A beat passed. Sienna noticed how Padme looked to Qui-Gon, as if to see how he would answer. He took a moment, and then leaned his arms on the table, a note of honestly whispering through the Force. "I can see there's no fooling you Anakin. We're on our way to Coruscant, the central system in the Republic, on a very important mission."

"How did you end up out here in the Outer Rim?"

"Our ship was damaged and we're stranded here until we can repair it," Padme answered.

"I can help," Anakin said, "I can fix anything. Sienna knows, she's seen me."

"I believe you can," Qui-Gon chuckled, "But first we must acquire the parts we need."

"We've no nothin' mula to trade," Jar Jar explained.

"Then you won't be getting any parts," Sienna said, "nothing is given for free in a place like this. Every scrap is bartered for, or stolen."

"That is precisely our problem," Qui-Gon agreed solemnly. "We have Republic credits, but they are not regarded as currency here. That leaves us only with our supplies, and even if we traded all the supplies on our ship, we still wouldn't have enough for those parts."

"What specifically do you need?"

Qui-Gon listed the parts, and Sienna whistled. "Yikes. That is a pricey list."

"These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind," Padme said.

"Gambling," Shmi said, "Everything here revolves around betting on those awful races."

"Pod racing," Qui-gon said thoughtfully, "greed can be a powerful ally."

"I built a racer. It's the fastest ever. Right Sienna?"

"It's a pretty good racer," she agreed. She had spent many evenings helping Anakin work on it, teaching him all she knew. Not that the boy needed much help- he seemed to have an excellent understanding of each part and how they would all function together. He had learned a lot from his mother, who had taught him when she could, but it certainly helped to have another teacher. Sienna couldn't say for sure that the pod was the fastest ever, but she could guarantee that it worked, and she would be willing to bet money on its speed.

"There's a big race tomorrow in Boonta Eve. You could enter my pod."

"Anakin," Shmi said, "Watto won't let you."

"Watto doesn't know I've built it," the boy argued. He turned to Qui-Gon. "You could make him think it was yours, and get him to let me pilot it for you."

"I don't want you to race. It's awful, I die every time Watto makes you do it."

"But mom, I love it. The prize money would more than pay for the parts they need."

"Anakin."

"Your mother's right," Qui-Gon said. Then to Shmi, "Is there anyone friendly to the Republic who could help us?"

Shmi sighed. "No." She glanced at Sienna. "Just us."

Sienna thought over her own role in this. She knew what Shmi was asking- was there anything Sienna could do? The Force was at work here, and despite her suspicion of these and any strangers, the Force whispered that she ought to help. But how? She had a little money, but not nearly enough for parts for a ship, just enough to keep food in her fridge. Though she was paid pretty well by the standards here, she didn't save much. Instead she gave it away, buying canisters of water for the poorer families and giving what remained to Shmi to save up for supplies and hopefully, one day, her and Anakin's freedom. Sienna could offer to be the one to drive the pod, but she had never done so before, and though she was confident in her piloting abilities, Anakin likely had a better shot at winning than she did. He had raced many times, he knew the course and knew the tricks the other pilots would play. Even with the Force, experience was crucial.

There was one other option. She doubted the strangers would go for it, but it didn't hurt to toss it out there.

"I could enter one of the field races," Sienna said, "but we'd need to rent a ship, and there's the issue of an entry fee. And I'm not even sure when the next one is, but there's always one somewhere. The prize money is good, but given your circumstances, the whole process might be more trouble than it's worth."

Shmi paled. That was not the answer she had been hoping for when she implied that Sienna might be able to help. "The field races are worse than the pod races!"

Sienna shrugged. "I did it all the time as a kid. I'm still here, aren't I?"

"What's a field race?" Padme asked.

"They're races through asteroid fields. Pilots from all over enter them. Mostly hotshots looking for bragging rights and fame, but there are also some career racers."

"And which were you?" Qui-Gon asked, a vaguely amused smile on his lips.

Sienna smirked. "I did it for the thrill. There's nothing quite like dodging asteroids at high speeds to get the adrenaline going and make you feel alive. Plus, it paid well."

Shmi shook her head. "That's because the chances of dying were higher than the chances of coming out alive, let alone winning."

"Mmm, there was that," Sienna agreed, "there's a saying about the field races- there are no crashes, only bloodbaths. You crash, you die."

Even Padme seemed to pale slightly at that. "How old were you when you raced?"

"I started when I was around Ani's age. Did it until I was 15."

"And your parents let you?"

"Bold of you to assume I had parents."

Padme's eyes widened, and she sputtered for an apology. "I- I'm sorry, I just, I thought-"

"Nah, it's fine. You're used to… a very different way of life. Growing up an orphan isn't uncommon in the Outer Rim."

"That's very sad."

Sienna shrugged. "It's just the way it is." Turning her attention back to Qui-Gon, she said, "am I right in assuming a ship rental and entry fee would be beyond your means?"

The man sighed. "I believe so."

Sienna nodded, and a dejected silence fell over the room. Padme looked down at her plate, and Qui-Gon seemed to be watching Anakin, who was pushing his food around with his spoon.

"Mom, you say the biggest problem in this universe is nobody helps each other," Anakin said.

"I'm sure Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your son in danger," Padme said, "We'll find some other way."

Shmi sighed. "No. There is no other way. I may not like it, but he can help you." She looked to Anakin, whose eyes brightened. "He was meant to help you."

"You'll let me race?" Anakin asked.

"I will. If you can convince Watto to let you."

"We'll convince him," Anakin stated with confidence. "Thanks mom!"

"Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I will. And besides, Sienna's been training me. I'm even better than I used to be."

"You podrace too?" Padme asked.

"No. But I've been helping Anakin practice. No matter how good you are, consistent practice is important. It always helps to be prepared."

"Wise words," Qui-Gon agreed, "I suppose it's settled then."

"I suppose it is," Shmi agreed. She stood, and gathered her plate, and reached out for Qui-Gon's as well. He handed it to her with a word of thanks, and then passed her Jar Jar's plate when she asked. Sienna stood too, gathering her dish along with Padme's and Anakin's. She liked to help with the housework whenever she could, as a way both to thank Shmi for her cooking and to spend time with the woman.

The sink was not far from the table, and as they washed the dishes Anakin chattered with the guests. Qui-Gon hummed at appropriate moments, but his attention had turned to the girl. With the help of the Force, he filtered out distractions and focused on the conversation Sienna was having with Shmi.

"He'll be alright," the girl was saying, "he always is."

"I know. But there is always a first time, and I don't know what I'd do if he got hurt."

"He's strong with the Force, and the Force is with him. It was before, and now that he knows how to tap into it and allow it to guide him, even more so."

"I am grateful to you for training him," Shmi said, "I'll take anything that helps keep my boy safe."

"He catches on quick. I just wish I was a better teacher. He'd be better off with a Knight."

"Sienna, you're a wonderful teacher. He would know nothing of the Force if it wasn't for you. And you teach him about mechanical things too, and help him grow his skills. We're lucky you came into our lives."

"I'm lucky to have found you. Who knows where I would have ended up. A lone Padawan, out of place and out of time on a desert planet, no money and nowhere to go."

"You're a strong girl. I think you might have been alright."

"Probably," Sienna agreed with a light laugh. Then, growing somber, "But it would have been lonelier."

Shmi turned to look at the young adult, hearing something in her tone. "What's wrong?"

"I just," Sienna set the dish in her hand on the drying rack. "I had thought they would have come for me, by now."

"Oh, Sienna," Shmi said gently, "I'm sure they are looking. You've told me so many wonderful things about Calian, and the others. And you also told me the Force is tricky about things like interdimensional time travel. I'm sure they're doing their best."

"I know. I just, I miss them." She swiped at a couple of tears that had begun to form at the corners of her eyes. Blasted tears, she had better control than this. "Tomorrow marks one year exactly."

"I know. Come here." Shmi wrapped her arms around the younger woman, and Sienna leaned into the embrace, resting her head against Shmi's shoulder. Shmi rested one hand on top of Sienna's hair. "They'll find you one day. Or you will find them. What's that saying you have? Everything is the will of the Force. There must be a reason for your being here."

Sienna inhaled slowly, and exhaled again, steadying herself. "You're right. Thank you." She straightened up. "I'll look out for Anakin tomorrow. Up in the cliffs, watching, as usual."

Shmi placed a hand against her cheek. "Thank you for looking out for him. I feel a little better knowing he has a Jedi watching over him, like a guardian angel."

Sienna smiled. "I do my best. Wouldn't call myself an angel though. I don't think angels are covered in grease and dirt."

They shared a laugh as they finished with the plates.

A quick glance outside revealed that the storm had passed. The visitors thanked Shmi for the meal and for letting them shelter in her home.

"I will return to Watto's shop and see about the pod race," Qui-Gon said, "and then I will return and discuss it with you."

"I'll come. And I'll show you my pod too," Anakin said, "there's just a couple of quick things I need to do before I can race it tomorrow."

"That sounds like good a plan," Qui-Gon smiled at Anakin.

"Sienna, will you come too?" Anakin turned his attention to her hopefully.

"I'm sorry Ani. I have another run I need to make today. I should head out now that the storm's done."

"Awwwww. Will you be back in time for tonight?"

"Of course. Wouldn't miss it. I'm just running some deliveries to the moisture farms, it's not far and not dangerous."

"What's tonight?" Padme asked.

"Uh," Anakin looked to Sienna, not sure what to say.

"Training," the girl answered. What for was left unsaid, but since podrace training had been mentioned earlier, Sienna hoped that was what Padme would assume she meant.

The younger girl seemed satisfied, and Anakin took her hand and led her to the door. Qui-Gon's gaze lingered on Sienna, as if he knew there was more to the statement than what she allowed Padme to believe, but he didn't comment.

"We will be back soon," He assured Shmi, who nodded with a kind smile.

Sienna tugged on her boots, strapped on her armor, and wrapped her cloak around her shoulders. Once outside, she swung a leg over her speeder, settling onto the seat. "I'll see you all later," she said, putting on her goggles. Then, she was off.

Qui-Gon watched her go, mulling over what he had gathered from the lunch. The girl called herself a Jedi Padawan, and Anakin and Shmi believed her to be one as well. But if she was a Padawan, why had she not greeted him? Why had she tried to hide her Jedi affiliation? And what was she doing here, on Tatooine, all alone? Where was her Master? If her Master had been killed, or if the girl was otherwise stranded here, why had she not been glad to see him, a Jedi Master, someone who could help her get back to the Temple?

The Force behaved strangely around the girl, and that made Qui-Gon wary. The Force flowed through all living things, binding the universe together. It was like a river, or a thread, or a spider's web. But if the Force was a spider's web connecting every being to every other, it was like Sienna was a dew drop on the web. If the Force was a thread, Sienna was a tightrope walker. It cradled her in such a way that although she was still part of the great river, she was also somehow separate. Or, not quite separate, but set apart. A drop of oil in a jar of water.

Very strange indeed.

On top of that, she was training the boy. How much, Qui-Gon didn't know. At the very least she had taught him telepathy, and he suspected she had taught him how to listen to the Force as well. How much and how deeply was yet to be seen. And had she taught him how to use the Force to manipulate objects?

"Mister Qui-Gon! Are you coming?" Anakin's voice pulled him from his thoughts, and he turned back around to start after the others.

"I am."

So many questions that Qui-Gon did not have answers to. He would have to speak with her later. For now, he had a task to complete.


A/N: Chapter 2 up! I actually had this written weeks ago, and then I got a new idea and wrote an entirely different second chapter. But then I remembered that folks are generally skeptical of OCs, and that perhaps the new chapter would be boring until folks get attached to Sienna the way I am. SO then I went back to this, and honestly I like this better myself. Maybe at some point I'll post a collection of stories about Sienna's adventures in that first year on Tatooine. For now, enjoy diving right into the canon timeline. :)